Infinity kappa 9 Help and some questions!

[Beardog2010]

Hey everyone. Im new in the forum, just registered.

I need some help with a pair of infinity kappa 9`s that are currently going through some
restoration. A very good friend of mine have been refoaming the bass units on these, and
now refurbishing the cabinets as we speak.

The tweeters and supertweeters on these are playing very sharp and when we try to adjust
the crossover pots for these they don`t seem to react at all, are my pots broken or bad? And
also, when we try to adjust midrange and midbass-coupler pots, these make a crackling sound..
I have searched for days now, and i can`t seem to find any info on any of the pots used in the
kappa 9`s. Does anyone here by any chance know where i can buy original or approved copy`s
of original potentiometers\L-pads for the kappa 9`s and\or have specs for all 4 pots\L-pads on
these? Other than this, they sound absolutely amazing (in normal mode, haven`t got the amp for
extended mode yet) when tested, and there are sound coming from every unit, except the pots
that don`t operate as they should.

Also i was wondering this, is Infinity 9 Kappa and Infinity Kappa RS9 the same speaker? If NO,
what speakers do i have? This would be relevant to know, since im only able to find Technical
manual with schematics for RS 9 Kappa.

Hoping someone can help me out here, every input that can point me in the right direction will be
much appreciated, thanks

 

[markuus3889]

Hi Beardog2010 and welcome,

You will find the schematic with L-pad information for the Kappa 9 at the bottom of the information page at the following link:

http://infinity-classics.de/models/Kappa-series-1987/index-Kappa.htm

Usually the L-pads only attenuate a small amount like a few decibels and they may be working but you may have to disable or cover the other drivers to hear differences. The L-pads, if they are working, could use some cleaning and the crackling sounds are definitely indicators of that.

Good luck,

Mark K.

 

[Beardog2010]

Hi Beardog2010 and welcome,

You will find the schematic with L-pad information for the Kappa 9 at the bottom of the information page at the following link:

http://infinity-classics.de/models/Kappa-series-1987/index-Kappa.htm

Usually the L-pads only attenuate a small amount like a few decibels and they may be working but you may have to disable or cover the other drivers to hear differences. The L-pads, if they are working, could use some cleaning and the crackling sounds are definitely indicators of that.

Good luck,

Mark K.

Thanks for the link markuus3889, and the info. I really appreciate your reply

This is the schematic i`ve been looking at and found myself. Is this the correct schematic?
Also i find it strange that these speakers are reffered to as 4-ways, because aren`t these
actually 5-ways?

Yeah i`ve tried to play certain frequenzies, cover the other drivers but still have a hard time
hearing any change when adjusting the pots on tweeters\supertweeters.. could you tell me
where on the schematics i find the L-pad information\partnumbers for the four of them (im
not so good at reading schematics yet)? What would you recommend me using for cleaning
the pots? I have no experience with this, but it would be much more convenient if cleaning
them worked, instead of disassemble the whole crossover and replace the pots\L-pads. I`ve
read that "Deoxit D5" is good stuff for cleaning pots, i just need to know that this are no-leading
fluid, and i dont want to get to much lubing in the pots

 

[okeeteekid]

If the tweeters sound sharp it is more than likely your electronics that is causing the problem, what are you driving the speakers with?

 

[swechsler]

The tech sheets from Infinity are loaded with typos, which is why they're listed as a 4-way instead of a 5-way system (another error is that the S-EMIT is shown as a C-EMIT). The L-pads in the schematic are R1, R2, R4 and R7, although technically they're not L-pads; they're wired as variable resistors. If I were you I'd definitely put a decent amount of effort into trying to get the existing pots working properly before deciding to replace them.

Deoxit is the correct fluid to use. Not sure what you mean by "no-leading fluid", but while you're cleaning them you could remove the woofers so you can access the crossovers from the other side, this way you can make sure that the fluid is going where you want to. You normally don't need to spray in too much; just a little bit and then moving the knobs back and forth a few time should do the trick.

 

[Beardog2010]

If the tweeters sound sharp it is more than likely your electronics that is causing the problem, what are you driving the speakers with?

For the testing of the speakers we first used (dont judge me to hard here haha) Harman kardon avr8500, and it sounded very sharp. Then we hooked them up on a XTZ class A\AB amp, then the sound became much warmer and balanced, but still somewhat sharp in the tweeters.

 

[Beardog2010]

The tech sheets from Infinity are loaded with typos, which is why they're listed as a 4-way instead of a 5-way system (another error is that the S-EMIT is shown as a C-EMIT). The L-pads in the schematic are R1, R2, R4 and R7, although technically they're not L-pads; they're wired as variable resistors. If I were you I'd definitely put a decent amount of effort into trying to get the existing pots working properly before deciding to replace them.

Deoxit is the correct fluid to use. Not sure what you mean by "no-leading fluid", but while you're cleaning them you could remove the woofers so you can access the crossovers from the other side, this way you can make sure that the fluid is going where you want to. You normally don't need to spray in too much; just a little bit and then moving the knobs back and forth a few time should do the trick.

Yeah i kinda figured it must be some typos in this tech sheet (i`ve noticed the S-EMIT is shown as C-EMIT too, yes). This is why im somewhat confused and uncertain about many things when it comes to these speakers. Feels like i cant fully trust the schematics and the values of the different components for the crossover either. One more thing that bothers me is that efficiency is 102dB on the kappa 9`s according to the technical sheet that i`ve found and the one that was linked above. But when i check kappa 6,7 and 8, the efficiency is between 88-89dB.. why does the kappa 9`s suddenly jump to 102dB?

So if i google R1, R2, R4 and R7, i would get the correct "L-pads" for these? Any other specs i have to look for on L-pads for these so that they match up a 100%?

What i meant by "no-leading fluid" was non conductive haha, my english is somewhat rusty, sorry
Yeah, i figure it would be the easiest way to access it through the mounting hole for the woofer,
rather than from the back of the speaker.

I really hope the cleaning process will do the trick, that would save me from alot of trouble

 

[okeeteekid]

For the testing of the speakers we first used (dont judge me to hard here haha) Harman kardon avr8500, and it sounded very sharp. Then we hooked them up on a XTZ class A\AB amp, then the sound became much warmer and balanced, but still somewhat sharp in the tweeters.

I used a forte 50wpc of pure class A amp on the top and a adcom 555 200wpc on the woofers and no sharpness to the tweeters, sharpness can also be caused from the room that they are in if there's too many hard surfaces, ceiling,walls, floors but it looks like you will need to upgrade your amps, what preamp are you using?

 

[Beardog2010]

I used a forte 50wpc of pure class A amp on the top and a adcom 555 200wpc on the woofers and no sharpness to the tweeters, sharpness can also be caused from the room that they are in if there's too many hard surfaces, ceiling,walls, floors but it looks like you will need to upgrade your amps, what preamp are you using?

My plan is to bi-wire these on a krell KSA 300s that i may have on hand, i`ve done lot`s of research the last 6 months or so, to determine wich amp to use for these kappa 9`s, and KRELL seems to be a good choice for these in a bi-wire setup. The speakers were tested in a basement, walls and floor being concrete, and the room is a bit small for these also With the KRELL im planning on using a surround processor Onkyo PR-SC5509 and hope for this to be a good match, the reason for the processor is that my setup will be for home cinema

 

[savatage1973]

My plan is to bi-wire these on a krell KSA 300s that i may have on hand, i`ve done lot`s of research the last 6 months or so, to determine wich amp to use for these kappa 9`s, and KRELL seems to be a good choice for these in a bi-wire setup.

Krell is an excellent choice. I run my Kappa 9's for two-channel only with 4 KMA 160 monoblocks. If you are on any kind of budget, I also have run them bi-amped with 2 Aragon 4004's with no problems--even being driven hard.

 

[swechsler]

So if i google R1, R2, R4 and R7, i would get the correct "L-pads" for these? Any other specs i have to look for on L-pads for these so that they match up a 100%?

No, those numbers just represent the component number on the schematic. The specs for each are shown on the schematic (for example, R1 is 5Ω, 5W).

 

[okeeteekid]

My plan is to bi-wire these on a krell KSA 300s that i may have on hand, i`ve done lot`s of research the last 6 months or so, to determine wich amp to use for these kappa 9`s, and KRELL seems to be a good choice for these in a bi-wire setup. The speakers were tested in a basement, walls and floor being concrete, and the room is a bit small for these also With the KRELL im planning on using a surround processor Onkyo PR-SC5509 and hope for this to be a good match, the reason for the processor is that my setup will be for home cinema

If you are going to be using them for home cinema I think the krell will be a little extended in the highs for that, I would use a mosfet amp or something that is softer or rolled off in the highs

 

[Beardog2010]

Krell is an excellent choice. I run my Kappa 9's for two-channel only with 4 KMA 160 monoblocks. If you are on any kind of budget, I also have run them bi-amped with 2 Aragon 4004's with no problems--even being driven hard.

What did you have the kappa 9`s set to, when you had aragon 4004 on them? Normal or Extended? i`ve been looking on aragon`s also, because of budget, but i think i`ll just stick with the Krell even if it cost a bit more

 

[Beardog2010]

No, those numbers just represent the component number on the schematic. The specs for each are shown on the schematic (for example, R1 is 5Ω, 5W).

Ohh i see. Well, at least now i know wich components in this schematic represents the L-pads\pots I will take a look around, see what i can find.

Appreciate the help so far, thanks

 

[Silentnet]

I'd throw Aragon Palladium monoblocks in there, if you can find a pair.

Also, any amp being discussed can handle them on the extended setting.

 

[savatage1973]

What did you have the kappa 9`s set to, when you had aragon 4004 on them? Normal or Extended? i`ve been looking on aragon`s also, because of budget, but i think i`ll just stick with the Krell even if it cost a bit more

Running in extended mode, so the whole dip down below 1 ohm, and the Aragons were fine. They are doing duty on a pair of Magneplanar 3.6R's now, but I have had them on my Apogee Diva's as well. The original Aragons were basically designed and spec'd by Dan D'Agostino (of Krell), and are often referred to as "baby Krells" or "poor mans Krells", but pop the hood and look inside--awesome design and layout.

 

[Beardog2010]

If you are going to be using them for home cinema I think the krell will be a little extended in the highs for that, I would use a mosfet amp or something that is softer or rolled off in the highs

Well, it`s more correct of me to say, im gonna use these speakers for both music and home cinema, as i dont have space for 2 different audio setups. What do you think about the Onkyo processor combined with this system? Also im curious to check out vinyl Vinyl will be a whole new experience to me

 

[Beardog2010]

I'd throw Aragon Palladium monoblocks in there, if you can find a pair.

Also, any amp being discussed can handle them on the extended setting.

I saw a pair of palladium a while back, but if recall correctly, these weren`t cheap at all But yes, i have looked at them

The most important thing for me when buying amp for these, is that they actually can pull them in extended mode without any sweat
Already there is a good list here of potential amps for these power hungry kappa 9`s

All suggestions are much appreciated

 

[Silentnet]

I saw a pair of palladium a while back, but if recall correctly, these weren`t cheap at all But yes, i have looked at them

The most important thing for me when buying amp for these, is that they actually can pull them in extended mode without any sweat
Already there is a good list here of potential amps for these power hungry kappa 9`s

All suggestions are much appreciated

Can be had for $2000-3000 depending on series and condition. So no, not cheap, but they're monsters. Compared with the competition in their space, quite cheap.

 

[Beardog2010]

Running in extended mode, so the whole dip down below 1 ohm, and the Aragons were fine. They are doing duty on a pair of Magneplanar 3.6R's now, but I have had them on my Apogee Diva's as well. The original Aragons were basically designed and spec'd by Dan D'Agostino (of Krell), and are often referred to as "baby Krells" or "poor mans Krells", but pop the hood and look inside--awesome design and layout.

Yes, i have heard them being reffered to as "poor man`s krell". It`s a good candidate though, at least something serious to think about if my budget suddenly says NO to the krell ksa 300s

Anyways, it`s many good suggestions for capable amps to take on the kappa 9`s, for others to see as well There are many people out there that struggles to find a good budget amp for their kappa 9`s, so maybe this thread will help out others too